A GROWING popularity for intramedullary treatment of femoral shaft fractures is indicated by the increasing number of medical articles and views on the subject in this country. While complications may occur, most are avoidable, and in spite of them, there is a real justification for this trend because the patient is returned to a physiological state and to normal activity at an earlier date. The majority of these possible complications may be avoided by properly selecting the cases, overcoming errors in technique, and insuring adequate after-care.
This paper is based on an analysis of the difficulties encountered in treating 70 fractures of the shaft of the femur with intramedullary fixation since May, 1948, at Brooke Army Hospital, Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, Texas.
COMPLICATIONS
The first group of complications may be largely avoided by special consideration in selection and treatment.
Telescoping of Fragments of Comminuted Fractures.
—This can be prevented